The three great-nephews of cantankerous Mr Penicuik know better than to ignore his summons, especially when it concerns the bestowal of his fortune. His freakish plan is that his fortune will be his step-daughter's dowry.

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Publisher's Summary

The three great-nephews of cantankerous Mr Penicuik know better than to ignore his summons, especially when it concerns the bestowal of his fortune. His freakish plan is that his fortune will be his step-daughter's dowry.

It might seem to start out a bit odd to some, but I love this book. Just stick with it. Heyer's character development in Cotillion is fabulous. The minor characters are every bit as fun as the major ones.

sounds great as an audiobook. The narrator is excellent. One can easily distinguish the characters and the book is even funnier read aloud. Cotillion is Heyer's best book because its hero is totally unlike her standard, rather annoying, heroes. And the Regency slang is great. The book starts a little slowly but hang in for the first couple of chapters. You'll be glad you did.

This is an excellent Heyer book. As usual, there are humorous characters, a strong female lead and a great plot. The fun part of Cotillion is the love interest and "hero" - and you must find out who that is on your own.

I have read and listened to many of Georgette Heyer's books, and Cotillion one of my favorites. The characters are engaging, humorous, and memorable.

My only caution is that the first two chapters are a bit slow, featuring mostly the supporting characters instead of the main protagonists. However, from the third chapter on I expect that you will find the book is delightful.

I would never download or buy a Heyer novel because of the cartoon covers, but thinking that so many Audible listeners can't be wrong, I tried this Heyer when I really needed a diversion. While it's no literary masterpiece, it's a rare find-- a pleasant escape from 21st century life that satisfied my inner teeny-bopper without insulting my ears with the bad prose, poor pacing, violence, sex, or melodramatic bodice ripping of most historical fiction. I have no idea how authentic is the Regency slang Heyer's heroes spout, but the word play is very amusing. I've already downloaded a second Heyer novel to break out during my next life crisis.

I agree with the listener who points out that the narrator's voice is a bit too much of "a certain age" for the main characters, but I think her excellent reading compensated for that - at least to my ears of a certain age.

Oh, do buy this! Phyllida Nash is a wonderful narrator, and "Cotillion" is one of Heyer's most sparkling books. Things don't turn out exactly as the heroine or the reader expect, but, in this case, that is a very good thing.I know Heyer's romances aren't steamy or action-packed. But you cannot beat her for witty writing and a great time with a superior piece of fluff.

I love the story of Freddy or Jack and was worried that the audiobook couldn't do it justice....but it certainly did! I have a very serious literature critic in my 12 year old daughter, I encouraged her to get past the start and a heroine who begins as VERY unexciting (a common Georgette Heyerism-we learn to love our heroine for her actions, rather than initial looks and sparkling personality) and she just loved it! This got her into reading and listening to more Georgette heyer, and in a world of sex and violence, Georgette is a refreshing choice for all of us.

Another beautifully read story by Phillida Nash. 'Cotillion' is another of Heyer's romances which could have been written specifically to be read and listened to. One of her few romances that does not involve a cleverly sardonic hero but instead involves a quiet, dandy-ish hero of average intelligence and a very kind heart. Freddy's character is wonderfully created by the nature of his dialogue and Phyllida Nash does an excellent job of translating that dialogue into voice - despite being female. The reader follows Kitty's journey from her childish adoration of the handsome Jack to her more mature and more true love of the less obviously heroic Freddy. A thoroughly enjoyable audibook.

Georgette Heyer was a favourite author of mine as a teenager, but Cotillion was never one of my favourites then. It is now! The immaculate reading by Phyllida Nash brings out all the wit and charm of this book. As with the best Heyer books, the sparkling dialogue, immaculate descriptions, authentic period detail and comic set-pieces make this book a joy to listen to. It is like eating the finest meringue - light, delicate and delicious!

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Gillian

ReadingUnited Kingdom

10/26/10

Overall

"Excellent narration"

I am very fond of this novel, and I thought the narrator did it credit - her narrative voice was clearly distinguished from those of the characters, which were themselves quite distinct, without ever being overacted. I found much in it to enjoy when taken at this leisured pace, and would look for other titles by this narrator again.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Moomin

Kent

4/14/13

Overall

"A sprightly dance"

Beautifully read by Phyllida Nash, this is one of Georgette Heyer's most light hearted stories.

Kitty Charing is the ward of the miserly and cantankerous Mr Penicuik who decides to leave her his fortune if she will agree to marry one of his great nephews. All the nephews know that he wants her to marry Jack Westruther, his favourite, with whom Kitty has been in love since she was a school girl. Jack refuses to obey his summons and Kitty persuades Freddy Standen to pretend to be engaged in order that she can go to London for the season. While everyone suspects that she is trying to make Jack jealous, no-one foresees how events will work out.

Kitty's first forays into the world of high fashion are entertainingly described, with all Ms Heyer's careful attention to historical accuracy. The characters of Kitty, Jack, Freddy and his family are believable and engaging. As always, Ms Heyer has a wide cast of other characters who add to the twists and turns of this plot and the story evolves in a series of complicated steps, just like the lively dance of her title.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Maggie

5/17/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"My first Heyer audiobook, and it was addictive"

Any additional comments?

A Heyer reader since my teens, I recently discovered they were available on audiobooks. Bad news. After trying this one 'just to see if they are any use' I was hooked. Excellently read by Phyllida Nash, I lapped it up. My credits are now disappearing faster than a snowflake in Hawai as I work through all my favourite Heyer titles. This one, as a book, I had taken some time to appreciate as Freddy is far from an obvious hero but surprisingly he comes over more clearly here than on the printed page. As for gruff, down to earth Hannah stomping around refusing to call a spade a digging implement, love her - and never more so than than when brought to life in this.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

P

LINCOLN, United Kingdom

1/6/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"One to make you Ssmile"

I love this novel! It's a good typical Georgette Heyer read. Quite a bit of humour in this storyline. There are two characters in particular that make me laugh, Freddie, a straight forward no nonsense man, a little slow on the uptake but with a good heart and Dolph, we would today call home as having Special needs, but endearing and not quite as thick as his other family members would believe. There's also Hannah, Dolph's fiancée kept in secret, who is a woman after my own heart. I've listened to this book at leat 30 times and I still love it when I need to laugh!!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Marie-Clare

Cheltenham, Glos, United Kingdom

4/24/11

Overall

"Cotillion"

A perfect combination of narrator and story, I thought Phyllida Nash had Freddie especially to a tee. One of my favourite Heyer's, brilliantly read and I think I've listened to it a least 3 times now.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Rogayah

Reading, United Kingdom

6/21/09

Overall

"Regency Life"

Georgette Heyer's Regency world is filled with the very best of English aristocratic society at the turn of the 19th Century. THis is a fun story of a young girl who, living in the depths of the country as housekeeper to her old and irascible guardian, seizes her chance to stay in London as the betrothed of a member of the Ton. As expected of Heyer's books Kitty, the heroine, has adventures, scrapes and, of course, the happy ending.

This is a lighted-hearted romantic adventure. Heyer's research is meticulous and paints a rich picture of Georgian life as a background to the story. Unfortunately, the narrator does not do the sparkling dialogue any justice. What should be witty repartee sound turgid and artificial. This is such a pity as it makes the story's dialogue seem stilted. Particularly jarring in the thieves' cant and sporting jargon adopted by the ton, instead of rich and colourful language, sounds artificial and stilted.

To conclude this romantic glimpse of Regency England was disappointing as the narrator could not find the champagne bubbles there in the story and consequently it seemed a little flat.

4 of 6 people found this review helpful

Barbara the healer

7/25/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Regency romance at its best"

Where does Cotillion rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Cotillion rates very high among the many audiobooks I've listened to, an old favourite from the days of print, which I can now enjoy in the car or while working.

What other book might you compare Cotillion to, and why?

Devil's Cub, another Georgette Heyer favourite, is narrated by Michael Drew, which seemed odd to start with because the story is written from the point of view of the heroine, but once the story progressed I soon forgot. I have every admiration for all narrators who bring differences to the voices of all charactors, male or female

What does Phyllida Nash bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Apart from hearing the correct pronunciation of several phrases used in the Regency period, Phyllida Nash brings life to the dialogue.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Freddie Standen Grows Up

Any additional comments?

I just love audiobooks, and Cotillion brings the nostalgia of an old favourite to life.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Amazon Customer

5/9/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Cotillion"

One of my favourite Heyer books, historical romance set in the Regency period, Phyllida Nash is an excellent narrator.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Carôle

Kent, United Kingdom

3/19/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"One of my favourite Georgette Heyer Regency tales"

I have read this novel numerous times, it never gets old! The characters are amusing, believable, serious, funny, and I believe quite indicative of the era.

I rank it along side Charity Girl, and the Corinthian. They are all heart warming and a calming, pleasing novel to distract and yet not bore you. If you have never read all listened to a Georgette Heyer novel before, this Regency romance is a good place to start. It won't be your last book by this author.

Enjoy!

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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